CareCredit Study Shows Extensive Research Includes Financing Options

Dateline:
COSTA MESA, Calif.

Public Company Information:
NYSE:SYF

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When making elective healthcare decisions, consumers conduct extensive and simultaneous research into both the procedure and how they are going to pay for it, according to a study^* conducted on behalf of CareCredit, a leading healthcare financing company.

The Consumers’ Path to Healthcare Purchases Study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the unique way consumers research, consider and purchase healthcare services in six medical specialties: dentistry, ophthalmology, optometric care, veterinary care, cosmetic procedures and hearing health. The findings can help healthcare providers better serve the informational and financial needs of consumers seeking elective treatment for themselves, their family members and their pets.

The study, conducted in the third quarter of 2014, found that the path to purchase process across all healthcare categories reviewed is comprehensive, with consumers taking an average of five steps and an average of 76 days to conduct research. The complexity of the research process that patients and clients undertake before committing to a significant elective healthcare purchase is influenced by the level of need, cost, how insurance benefits impact out-of-pocket expenses and perceived risk.

Consumer research is conducted online and off, including a preliminary visit to the provider’s office and discussions with family and friends. Cost is not researched independently; rather it is considered at the same time as other factors, including whether to invest in the procedure or device itself and the selection of provider. Seventy percent of respondents said they researched the procedure, while 73 percent said they researched costs, including the availability of financing.

“These findings underscore that cost and the availability of financing options are important factors in elective healthcare purchases, leading consumers to research both the treatment and payment options extensively and at the same time,” said Dave Fasoli, CEO, CareCredit. “Understanding how consumers approach their healthcare decisions and the critical role of financing in considering a provider and a purchase are valuable insights to help ensure they have relevant information to make informed decisions.”

Other findings from the study include:

• The vast majority (90%) of CareCredit cardholders said that financing is a tool that helps them be prepared for unplanned health expenses.
• Nearly half (47%) of CareCredit cardholders surveyed would not have made the purchase or would seek another provider if theirs did not have financing available.
• Nearly 80% of all respondents said financing makes it easier to budget for their healthcare purchase.
• The majority (75%) of CareCredit cardholders are likely to use their card again.
• An average of 76 days is spent on research across the six healthcare categories studied – dentistry, ophthalmology, optometric care, veterinary care, cosmetic procedures and hearing health; with cosmetic procedures taking the longest amount of time - at nearly 145 days.

The study was conducted by Rothstein Tauber, Inc., on behalf of CareCredit, and included an online survey of nearly 2,000* consumers who had made an elective healthcare purchase in the past 12 months, or who were likely to make an elective healthcare purchase in the next 12 months. The study offers insights and behavioral data previously not available to doctors who provide elective care and can be used to shape effective strategies and best practices that help more patients get treatment and care.

A summary of the study’s findings can be found at www.carecredit.com/newsroom.

About CareCredit

For nearly 30 years CareCredit, from Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), has helped millions of patients receive needed and desired care. CareCredit is a health, wellness and beauty credit card that can be used as a financing option for certain expenses not covered by insurance or to bridge payment when desired care exceeds insurance coverage. CareCredit is accepted at more than 185,000 healthcare practices nationwide. For more information on CareCredit, call 800-300-3046 or visit www.carecredit.com.

*Respondent size of 1,954 included 496 CareCredit cardholders and 1,458 CareCredit non-cardholders who had made an elective healthcare purchase in the past 12 months or are likely to make an elective healthcare purchase in the next 12 months.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.CareCredit.com or Facebook.com/CareCredit or Twitter.com/CareCredit

©2015 CareCredit. All rights reserved.

Contact:

CareCredit
Cindy Hearn, vice president, branding & communications, 800-300-3046, ext. 4138
chearn@carecredit.com
or
Synchrony Financial
Communications, 855-791-8007
media.relations@synchronyfinancial.com